Joslin: Tips on getting your boat ready for winter storage

If you are like numerous boaters and fishermen in this neck of the woods, you might not plan to fish or use your boat anymore
until the spring, when the weather warms up. Unless you plan to fish all through the winter, here are some tips that will
make things a lot better when you do decide to put your boat back on the lake next spring.

The first thing I would suggest is to fill up your gas tanks and add an additive or fuel stabilizer to fuel. Another is to
make sure all batteries are fully charged before storage as storing a run-down battery cuts down on the life span.

In addition, store your motor tilted down so the lower unit is in a down position allowing all of the water to run out of
the unit, preventing the lower-gear case from freezing, expanding or cracking causing a major repair bill.

Another problem we have is mildew,
which can be very costly so go through all boat compartments and check
for moisture. If
you have a compartment that is prone to moisture you might want to
remove any valuable items and store them in a dry, protected area. In a matter of days, with the right conditions, mildew will ruin a $100 life jacket or a $300 rain suit.

These reminders are also applicable to those of us who use our boats all winter, especially draining water out of the lower
unit after each use. A neighbor last winter failed to do this and the outcome was as described, causing major expense plus about a week to get it repaired.
Get that water out of the lower unit. My neighbor plans to.